Dr Susan Hallam explains the research findings on BBC News 24

It found that soothing music can improve memory and behaviour, but another finding was that more aggressive music has the opposite effect.

The results are believed to be accounted for by the nature of the music affecting the amount of adrenalin in the brain.

The study was carried out by a research team from the Institute of Education in London.

Three groups of schoolchildren were assessed. A soothing classical piece was played in the background during memory tests for one group, an aggressive piece of modern jazz was played to another group, and the third had no music at all.

Dr Hallam: "The differences were significant"

The "classical" group were better able to remember sentences that had been read to them than both the other groups, while the "modern jazz" group had the worst results.

One of the research team, Dr Susan Hallam, told BBC News 24: "We think that the music has an effect on the primitive mechanisms in the brain, and directly affects arousal and mood.

"Then what happens is it enables the children to concentrate better. It really is that simple."

Classical music was not necessarily the key to improved memory and behaviour, said Dr Hallam.

"It's really whether the music is perceived as arousing."

The findings, if corroborated by further research, could have major implications for classroom teaching.

There is a parallel in retailing. Particular types of music played over a store's loudspeakers have long been considered to have an influence on the way in which people shop.